Search
Latest topics
» Ads are backby lovey Today at 12:02 am
» Garden Tools
by Soose Yesterday at 6:07 pm
» Soaking Seeds for Better Germination
by Soose Yesterday at 5:56 pm
» Should I buy this compost tumbler??
by Soose Yesterday at 5:55 pm
» Kiwi's SFG Adventure
by KiwiSFGnewbie Yesterday at 4:10 pm
» How do I source Mels Mix for 190 cu ft????
by Merrymouse Yesterday at 10:35 am
» Back In The Saddle I Suppose
by AtlantaMarie Yesterday at 5:15 am
» Happy Birthday!!
by AtlantaMarie Yesterday at 5:12 am
» Seed Exchange - January 2023
by sanderson Yesterday at 3:08 am
» Phosphate
by bigtoad 2/2/2023, 5:41 pm
» Organic compost without peat in Alberta
by OhioGardener 2/2/2023, 8:05 am
» worms and compost tumbler
by Soose 2/1/2023, 11:46 pm
» trying to Think Spring in cold Chicago
by sanderson 2/1/2023, 4:43 pm
» New Lifetime Compost Tumbler..
by sanderson 2/1/2023, 4:41 pm
» What are you eating from your garden today?
by OhioGardener 2/1/2023, 10:44 am
» Aero Garden for starting seeds?
by OhioGardener 2/1/2023, 8:23 am
» Starbucks for coffee grounds!
by sanderson 1/30/2023, 1:37 am
» N&C Midwest: January & February 2023
by OhioGardener 1/29/2023, 7:33 pm
» Placing Box on Cement
by OhioGardener 1/29/2023, 2:57 pm
» How I compost using a Tumbler
by Soose 1/29/2023, 2:45 pm
» Garlic Chives in SFG?
by OhioGardener 1/29/2023, 8:56 am
» Microgreens Gardening
by sanderson 1/28/2023, 11:42 pm
» Johnson Su composting Bioreactor instructions for home, not the farm.
by has55 1/28/2023, 10:57 am
» homemade vermicomposting/Worm Casting Compost Sifters
by has55 1/28/2023, 10:45 am
» Famous Gardening Quotes
by OhioGardener 1/28/2023, 8:29 am
» The SFG Journey-Johnson Su Bioreactor for composting, No turning
by has55 1/28/2023, 12:09 am
» seed starting Mel's way
by plantoid 1/27/2023, 7:09 am
» Home Made Compost
by plantoid 1/27/2023, 6:18 am
» New but Old
by lovey 1/25/2023, 1:49 am
» Dani's Brand New SFG For 2023
by danieggert 1/24/2023, 6:24 pm
Google
dimension of a 4x4
3 posters
Page 1 of 1
dimension of a 4x4
I built my 4x4 and filled it with mel's mix and added the wooden lathe exactly as the book states. By rotating corners, I do not have 48 inches on the inside of the frame. I have lost the width of one 2x6 (1.5 inches). Then when I add the lathe, I lose another 1.5 inches. The end result is that now my grids are only 10.5 inches instead of 12. Now if I am planting Broccoli, I don't see that being a problem, 1 plant per sgft but carrots are not going to maximized at 16 per sqft. I have tried to follow Mel's direction specifically. How do I follow his directions and get a full 12 inches on all my grids?
cdk71-
Posts : 9
Join date : 2011-03-24
Age : 51
Location : asheville, nc
Re: dimension of a 4x4
I think what you are finding is why some of us prefer string to lath. I know Mel recommends wood lath, but he does so for aesthetics. Any grid is a grid. Someone yesterday said they intend to use radishes as their gridwork!
That will get you a lot of your space back immediately. I wish I could help with the rotating corners and losing that inch and a half. I lost the same space. To me, though, it wasn't a big deal...spread it out over 4 feet or more and it becomes a minimal loss imo.
And, I agree with you on being inconsequential with broccoli. But, I don't know how much it would matter with leaf lettuces, peas, spinaches, or carrots. Heck, I have enough difficulty getting 16 into a full square.....but, I don't think it affects their growth much. The spacing Mel recommends surely has a +/- 10% margin for error.
I commend you for sticking so closely to the book/plan. I hope I helped ease your mind instead of agitated you further with my adjustments/thoughts.
That will get you a lot of your space back immediately. I wish I could help with the rotating corners and losing that inch and a half. I lost the same space. To me, though, it wasn't a big deal...spread it out over 4 feet or more and it becomes a minimal loss imo.
And, I agree with you on being inconsequential with broccoli. But, I don't know how much it would matter with leaf lettuces, peas, spinaches, or carrots. Heck, I have enough difficulty getting 16 into a full square.....but, I don't think it affects their growth much. The spacing Mel recommends surely has a +/- 10% margin for error.
I commend you for sticking so closely to the book/plan. I hope I helped ease your mind instead of agitated you further with my adjustments/thoughts.
BackyardBirdGardner-
Posts : 2727
Join date : 2010-12-25
Age : 49
Location : St. Louis, MO
Re: dimension of a 4x4
When trying to make my first 4 by 4 SFG, using 48 inch lengths of wood, and rotating the corners, I too ended up with a 46 1/2 interior measurement per side.
I was frustrated when trying to figure out why my squares were not exactly 1 square foot. I finally marked my squares by dividing the distance by 4, and giving myself permission for that to be OK.
Each square would then be about 11.6 inches per side. This still allows you to plant approximately 3 inches apart and get your 16 plants in a square. (off by only 0.10 inch per plant)
If you really want a 48 inch interior length, you can cut your 2 in by 6 inch boards at 49 1/2 inches to allow for the thickness of the wood, but I really don't think this is necessary. Most boards come in 8, 10, or 12 ft lengths, so I would not bother to make them 49 1/2 inches, because you are wasting wood and it would cost more money.
As far as your grids, using lathe is really good looking, but then you may have to plant your carrots at about 2.5 inches instead of 3 inches. Most often this would not be a problem unless you grow really big carrots. Most radishes and carrots do not grow over 2 inches across.

I was frustrated when trying to figure out why my squares were not exactly 1 square foot. I finally marked my squares by dividing the distance by 4, and giving myself permission for that to be OK.
Each square would then be about 11.6 inches per side. This still allows you to plant approximately 3 inches apart and get your 16 plants in a square. (off by only 0.10 inch per plant)
If you really want a 48 inch interior length, you can cut your 2 in by 6 inch boards at 49 1/2 inches to allow for the thickness of the wood, but I really don't think this is necessary. Most boards come in 8, 10, or 12 ft lengths, so I would not bother to make them 49 1/2 inches, because you are wasting wood and it would cost more money.
As far as your grids, using lathe is really good looking, but then you may have to plant your carrots at about 2.5 inches instead of 3 inches. Most often this would not be a problem unless you grow really big carrots. Most radishes and carrots do not grow over 2 inches across.
Furbalsmom-
Posts : 3141
Join date : 2010-06-10
Age : 76
Location : Coastal Oregon, Zone 9a, Heat Zone 2 :(
Page 1 of 1
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
|
|